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Soon after, Bowen was the night's first winner, taking home the Emmy for lead actress in a comedy for her role as Claire Dunphy on the hit ABC comedy about different kinds of families.

Bowen told Pop Tarts she can’t believe gay marriage is controversial.

"To me, it's absurd that it is an issue, but in that it is an issue, I'm glad that we're helping to change minds,” Bowen said backstage.

Bowen said the ABC comedy, which won five Emmys, and moved host Jane Lynch to rename the night 'The 'Modern Family' Awards," resonates with audiences not because of any political message, but because of its entertainment value.

“We’re not trying to figure out the secret to cold fusion or cure cancer, it’s supposed to be escapist and fun,” she told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column ahead of the ceremony. “People are just really relating to the real stories.”

Hollie McKay has been a FoxNews.com staff reporter since 2007. She has reported extensively from the Middle East on the rise and fall of terrorist groups such as ISIS in Iraq. Follow her on twitter at @holliesmckay